Incoming Texas Gov. Gina Hinojosa will be sworn in Jan. 19, a week after the 90th Legislative Session convenes Jan. 12, according to Texas Public Radio. The delay leaves outgoing Republicans in power for the session’s first week as GOP Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick moves to strip power from her incoming lieutenant governor.
The political maneuvering comes as a Democratic wave swept the party to victory in 18 statewide races this month, according to Texas Public Radio.
Democrats also took control of the Texas House for the first time since 2002, but the GOP retains a 19-12 seat majority in the Texas Senate.
Patrick’s proposed rule change, which can be enacted by a simple majority vote, targets the authority of the lieutenant governor’s office, according to Texas Public Radio. The lieutenant governor’s influence is derived largely from powers granted by the Senate, including committee assignments and control of the legislative calendar.
The delay in Goodwin’s swearing-in also creates a window for the confirmation of appointees made by outgoing Gov. Greg Abbott, according to Texas Public Radio. A backlog of Abbott’s appointees to leadership roles, made after the last legislative session, requires confirmation by a two-thirds vote in the Senate. Locking in these appointments would keep them in place for another two years, preventing Hinojosa from making her own selections. Republicans do not have the votes to confirm Abbott’s existing appointments on their own, according to Texas Public Radio.
The transition period is further complicated by vacancies created by Democratic state Sens. Sarah Eckhardt of Austin and Nathan Johnson of Dallas, who have moved on to roles as Comptroller and Attorney General, respectively, according to Texas Public Radio. These openings have created room for horse-trading between the outgoing and incoming administrations, and transition teams are being filled with bipartisan policy experts.
In the Texas House, Houston Democratic state Rep. Senfronia Thompson said she has the votes to become speaker, according to Texas Public Radio. Thompson announced a transition team that includes former Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, a Republican from San Antonio.
The political shifts come as a newly created business court, a high priority for Texas business leaders, begins operations. Judges for the court are appointed by the governor, according to Texas Public Radio.
The 90th Legislative Session convenes Jan. 12. Hinojosa and Goodwin will take their oaths of office on Jan. 19, according to Texas Public Radio. The incoming governor’s office has not yet announced a schedule for her first days in office or a timeline for making appointments to the new business court.
